2023 Industry Highlights
The Imperial Sarnia site recently completed a $150+ million maintenance turnaround that ran from September to November 2023. Over 1200 contractors were part of this activity in addition to Imperial’s own workforce. Turnarounds are an opportunity for equipment in the facility to be inspected and repaired or upgraded. Imperial’s turnaround was completed safely and on-schedule. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this milestone effort!
NOVA successfully completed a safe and successful turnaround at their St. Clair River Site in September. The dedication of their skilled team, safety protocols, and planning were instrumental in ensuring the successful execution of the turnaround and highlights their commitment to operational excellence and focus on safety and reliability. As part of our ongoing commitment to community engagement, NOVA also announced that they are on pace to contribute $250,000 towards the local United Way campaign. This contribution reflects their employees’ dedication to supporting the well-being of the communities where we live and work.
Shell Sarnia Manufacturing Centre continues to be focused on exploring concepts that will reduce SO2 emissions from the Sulphur Recovery Unit, Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit, Fuel Gas and Flare, in accordance with provincial regulations that will come into effect in 2029. For example, a number of modifications and improvements have already been made on some units to improve operating efficiency and reliability, effectively reducing the need for flaring. The Sarnia Manufacturing Centre recently completed its largest turnaround ever and a kick-off meeting was held to focus priorities and plans for next year’s Turnaround event that is scheduled for September. Shell and its contractor, Mammoet, successfully delivered a new 400,000 lb. reactor to the SMC site to replace an existing, older version from the 1950’s. The addition sets up the site nicely in anticipation of next year’s Turnaround.
The Suncor Sarnia Refinery had approximately 300 additional trades people on site this spring for a planned maintenance turnround. The event was completed with no recordable injuries or environmental incidents.
Startup of Origin Materials’ commercial-scale production at Origin 1 in Sarnia, the first commercial biomaterials plant of its kind.